Archakas in Our Temples and the new proposed change. -Discussion

[Guest guest]

sri:

Humble pranam to all devotees:

 

Adiyen wanted to stay out of this one first, but there is just too much

misinformation and too many good people being misguided

by the current media propaganda which portrays politicians

as Demi-gods.

 

This issue has many layers and many partisan groups,

some of whom are non-believers of the religion.

The Non believer group should stay out of this discussion

and process. Unfortunately the ones with the most power

and political influence may be the NON believer group.

 

 

Since we are a Sri Viashnava list, and adiyen knows only about

sri vaishnva temples, let us address the Sri Vaishnava temples especially

the Dhivya Desams.

 

Let us address the following points one a time and come to an educated and

informed

decision and get all our parties on the same page and a unified message.

Then we can plan towards action and take some conclusive measures to have

our "Unified Message" to be heard and considered  by the political and

legal groups.

 

Let us look at this issue in parts and see what we can do in this process:

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0.  The situation. -  Facts as of today.

            a. The new proposed change and the State of temples.

 

1.  History of these temples.  - How and why are these temples here today.

         a.  Background and Introductions (Agamas etc)

      b. The priests (archakas) - Who are they and how are they chosen?

      c. Their duties and qualifications.  (and education)

      d. Role of brahmins serving as NON-archakas in the temple service.

      e. Role of those other than brahmins in the temple service.

      f.  Historical support and patronage for the temples.

 

2.  Current state of the temples.

      a. Financial state.   [ and how it got there?]

      b. Political and partisan group influences.

      c. State of archakas and other roles as outlined in 1b, 1d, and 1e.

      d. Kind of remuneration and benefits for the services.

        [Mostly rendered as service without any assured fixed remuneration]

 

3.  Acceptance of the present situation by members of Society viz:

      a. Devotees and other believers of the religious practices.

      b. Non-Believers of the LORD who do not practice pr respect Vedic (hindu)

religion.

      c. Local government's role in the management of these temples.

      e. Followers of other religions and practices.

 

4.  What does the newly proposed enactment plan to achieve in these temples?

      a. What is the goal of the present state government.  [present and past].

      b. How have they been gradually debasing the sri Vaishnava temples,

culture and communities.

 

5.  What can we do in this present situation?

      a. Appeal to the Governor.  [e-mail petetions]

      b. Proper discussion of this subject in state and national media by

qualified individuals within the premise of the agama shastras.

      c. Seeking legal remedy, to protect the fundamental rights of minority

communities to pursue their chosen religion.

                         [it is a constitutional right to practice ones own

religion as per the age long practice]

      d. Organizing seminars, writing and publishing articles to educate the

community and public about the various aspects of the issue.

      e. On-line memorandum to the various authorities, including the President

of India.

 

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In the meanwhile let us request someone in TamilNadu with access to

1: Get the Text of the complete Bill and its supporting documents on-line.

2: Seek the response/guidance of other elders/ leaders of our community in

India.

 

Adiyen Ramanuja Dasan,

Mukundan V. Pattangi

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